Northern Illinois hires ex-Tennessee Titans OL coach Bob Bostad

Former Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Bob Bostad is the new tight ends and fullbacks coach at Northern Illinios, according to a source.

Former Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Bob Bostad is the new tight ends and fullbacks coach for Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey, according to a source.

His hiring is a coup for Carey given Bostad's 26 years of coaching experience, including four in the NFL. Bostad coached the Titans’ offensive line for the past two seasons but was not retained by new head coach Mike Mularkey, who was hired in January. Prior to joining Tennessee, Bostad was offensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two years, including in 2012 when the Bucs tied for third in the NFL in sacks allowed (26).

He spent the first 22 years of his coaching career at the college level, including serving as Wisconsin’s running game coordinator from 2006–11. He also coached the Badgers’ tight ends from ’06–07 and offensive line from ’08–11. Wisconsin had a 1,000-yard rusher each of Bostad’s six seasons, and Montee Ball led the nation is rushing in ’11.

Bostad coached the offensive line at New Mexico from 1999–2005 after two years at San Jose State. He coached the offensive line in both years with the Spartans and added co-offensive coordinator duties in 1998.

He was the offensive line coach at Cal State Northridge from 1995–96 after serving as a graduate assistant offensive line coach at Minnesota for three seasons. Bostad got his start in coaching at his alma mater, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, as the offensive line coach from ’90–91. He started at linebacker for four seasons at Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Bostad now joins up with Carey at Northern Illinois, which went 8–6 last season and reached its sixth consecutive MAC championship game. The Huskies also earned a berth in the Poinsettia Bowl. Carey has a 31–12 record in three seasons at Northern Illinois and won a conference title in 2014.